Agrippina the Elder (14 BCE to 33 CE), as the granddaughter of Emperor Augustus and the wife of the popular general Germanicus, wielded significant influence in the early years of the Roman Empire and was a major player in the internal politics of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Her ambitions and familial ties put her at odds with powerful rivals, leading to her exile and eventual death by starvation in 33 CE. Although she would not live to see their reigns, she was the mother of one Roman emperor (Caligula) and grandmother of another (Nero).
This is a companion discussion topic for the original definition at https://www.worldhistory.org/Agrippina_the_Elder/.
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- Do you think Agrippina was brave or reckless when she challenged Tiberius?
- Was Agrippina more powerful because of her family or because of her own actions?
- Why do you think so many Roman soldiers admired Agrippina?
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